Method and apparatus for separating solids from fluids



ING

June 15, 1943-- s. w. BRIGGS,

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPRAT SOLIDS FROM FLUIDS Filed oct. 2a,- 195s n 2 Sheets-.Shet 1 oo' O.

GOC o one S. W. BRIGGS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPA 321,985 RATING 'l June 15, 1943.

SOLIDS FROM FLUIDS Filed Oct. 28, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 72 Hades ar Pferra/v ?atented June l5, 1943- einen earner cerise Mllll. AND APPARATUS FOR SEEARA'E- MG SLmS swimmer W. Briggs, washington, p. c.,

to Briggs Glarider iii Washinton,

Eompany,

D. C., a corporationo Delaware Application October 28, 1938, Serial No. 237,553'

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for separating solids from fluids. There isa particular applicability in the field of removing suspended solid particles from oil, though it is not to be limited to application in this iield, but is broadly capable of use in the separation of solids from any uids.

Within the ordinary definition of the terni, my device is not a filter though it performs the function of removing solid particles from uids, which is a function usually performed by filters.

In .separating solids from uids in the ordinary type of filter where the duid with the suspended solid particles therein is caused to pass through a filtering medium, such filtering medium gets dirty and it becomes increasingly didicult to pass the iiuid through the ltering medium. Not only does the resistance go up during use, as shown by sludging tests, but there is a tendency for the filter to unload. Particularly when the lter has become dirty; ltering is stopped, and then started; at the start of a succeeding filtering operation the lter may unload.

My process, and the apparatus used therewith,

permits of low pressure filtration. The ow of the uid at the same pressure .is greatly increased useful life ofthe device is greatly increased over ordinary practice.

In general my process consists in passing the uid with the suspended particles therein through channels whose surfaces are so formed as to impede and entrap thel solid particles, though the huid itself is not impeded to any considerable extent .in its passage through the channels. I ordinarily employ a material for the channels which is formed of relatively loosely packed bers. One form of -materia'l which I have found particularly good is an embossed cellulose wadding having ribs embossed thereon. The ribs form the channels, and on the ribs are entrapped the suspended particles.

One preferred form of my device comprises embossed cellulose wadding rolled upon itself with the direction of length of the ribs yin the direction of flow of the fluid to be treated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view takens through my dirt concentrator or cleansing device;

(Cl. 2MP-2li@ 3 5 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. e is a detail perspective view c@ the em bcssed cellulose wadding which employ;

Fig. 5 is a. graph showing comparative performance betweenmy uid cleansing device and a standard 'fluid cleansing device of approxi mately the same size, the graph showing on the abscissa the hours of operation and on the ora dinate the precipitation number;

Fig. 6 is a graph showing the performance of my device as plotted in comparison to a standard hlter of approximately the same size, the graph having as an abscissa the number of cubic centimeters of sludge, and as an ordinate the nach pressure exerted in pounds per square incli` Referring to the drawings, l have shown a container can t adapted to contain a sludge removing element 2. The container can t is provided with a top sand a bottom E. The top- 3 is swaged, as indicated at 5, over the end of the circular can body l, and likewise the bottom d is swaged, as indicated at 6, over `the circular bottom of the side wall E. The top 3 is provided with an annular recess l', in which rests a washer t. The washer 8 is held in place by the downturned end 9 of a central tube id.

Likewise there is provided at il an annular depression in the bottom li in which rests a similar washer l2, held in place by the turned over end I3 of the central tube ill. The top 3 is provided with apertures I4 through which the `duid may pass. through the sludge removing element 2 there are provided apertures in the central tube lll.

The sludge removing element 2 is .held in place by means of perforated spacers i6 yand il, having up-struck ends i8 and I9, respectively, which I rest against the top 3 and the bottom d.

The sludge removing element `2 :is composed of rolled embossed cellulose wadding Z0, indicated in detail in Figure 'This cellulose wadding consists of laminations composed of fairly short bers of cellulose which kare pressed to form a sheet consisting of grooves 2l alternating with ribs 22. As indicated in Figure e, the grooved sections 2l are more tightly compressed than the ridges or ribs 22.

The arrangement of this wadding 20 is such 5 that the ribs zz have their lengtnin the direction of dow of the :duid through the cleansing device or regulator.

In operation the sludge removing element 2 takes the suspended solid particles out the duid, such as in removing carbon particles from oil.

By reason of the rolling upon itself of the cellulose wadding, there are created a series of channels 23 (see Figure 3).. The fluid flows freely through the channels, and in its ilow deposits the solid particles suspended therein in the wad- Also for the free flow of duidv V.ding 20. The exact theory of operation is not fully understood, but it is believed that the solid particles are absorbed by the loosely packed ribs 22 and their movement impeded by the iibers of cellulose.

Tests have been conducted comparing similar size illters of commercial type with this regulator conditions were set up for both the standard device on the market and my device:

Procedure of test 1. Temperature of oil, 130 li'.v 2. Pressure of oil at relief valve lbs. 3. Rate of dirt feed, 27 to 33 cc. per hr.

4. Amount of oil in the circulating system, 'I'

quarts. 5. Viscosity of oil in circulating System, S. A. E.

'I'he test was run in the following manner:

The clean oil was placed in a reservoir and the circulation was started through the regulator at the time the heat was turned on. Thus the first half hour was run while the oil was still heating up. Sludge was continuously ied in at the above mentioned rate over the complete period of test. Complete pressure and temperature readings were taken every? hour and a sample of oil for test was taken each six hours. The test was run for twelve hours and shut down a period of twelve hours and then started up again. An additional sample oi.' oil was taken at each period of starting up in order to determine, it pomble, the amount oi' back-wash due to a cold start.

This set up oi twelve hour run and twelve hour shut-down was continued until an analysis oi. the oil showed that the filter was no longer functioning eiiiciently.

Analysis of oil The American society for Testm' Materials analysis used to determine the quality of oil in the is deposited upon said ilbers during passage of the iluid through the channel.`

2. A method oi separating solids from iluids comprisingtbefiuidwiththesolidssuspended therein lengthwise through well-delinea channels formed by rolling upon itself embossed ribbed cellulose wedding, whereby solids are depositedduringthe ofiiuidthroughthe channels formed between the ribs.

3. In a device for removing solids from iiuids. aremovingelement comprisingarolloicellulose wedding to form compreed indentations and loosely packed ridges which form, in the rolled sheet, channelsextending from end to end oi' the roll and through which the iluid is adapted to longitudinally ilow,.said channels being relatively restricted in cross section and yet of a sizelargerthanthesizeoftheparticlestobe separated, and means to direct the iluid longitudinally through said channels and to prevent flow of the iluid transversely through said roll.

4. A device ior removing solids from iluids comprising a receptacle consisting of a tubular wall member, and end members tending to close the wall member, a conduit within the receptacle extending irom one end member to the other, apertures in the end members registering with the respective ends of the conduit, one ot said end members being provided with an aperture in addition to the one registering with the conduit,

and an aperture in the conduit adjacent the end remote from the last mentioned end member, and aA sheet of embossed ribbed cellulose wadding wound around the conduit with the ribs parallel to the axis of the conduit, said ribs serving to form channels for the fluid of larger cross section than the solids vto be removed, and means to maintain the roll of wadding spaced from the end members.

5. An apparatus for removing solids from fluids g comprising a body of cellulosic material having a system was A. S. T. M. precipitation number.

The illter was considered to have lost its eiliciency when the A. S. T. M. precipitation number reached a value of .02.

It will be seen from the preceding description that I have devised a -method and apparatus for removing suspended solid particles from iluids which increases the capacity oi my device over the usual filter practice, prolongs the life oi the device over that of the usual lter, permits free passage of the uid at low pressures through the device, and minimizes blocking and unloading.

1. A method of separating solids from iluids comprising passing a iiuid having solids suspended therein lengthwise through a well-denned, relatively straight channel open at both ends. said channel being of restricted cross section but yet greater than the solid particles to be separated, a portion oi' the sides of said channel being formed of relatively loosely packed iibers and Other DOIODS being formed 0f 010861! packed 70 through the channel,

ilbers, whereby a substantial portion of the solids plurality of relatively straight channels extend- :lng therethrough, said channels being of restricted cross section but yet greater than the size oithe solid particles to be separated, a portion of the sides oi said channels being formed oi relatively loosely packed flbers and other portions being formed of closely packed fibers, said channels being open at both ends for the free iiow of the solid-containing iluid therethrough, and means for passing a iluid having solids suspended therein lengthwise through said channel and for preventing flow of fluid transversely throughsaid bodytocauseasubstantialportionofthesolids to be deposited upon said fibers during passage o! the iluid through the channels.

6. A filter unit for use in a clarifying apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid comvprising a casing. having imperiorate inner and outer tubular walls and perforate end walls, for the introduction of and discharge of iluid, a tubular body of brous material positioned therein, said fibrous body having a well deilned channel extending from one periorate end wall to the other for the passage of uid between said end walls, said channel being of restricted cross section but greater than the size of the solid particles to be separated from the iiuid to permit the free ow of the solids containing iluid longitudinally SOUTHWICK W. BRIGGS. 

